How to Beat Minesweeper — Tips and Tricks

Minesweeper is one of the oldest digital games of all time. It has been a staple for Windows users since the 1990s as well, because it was included in all versions of the operating system until Windows 8. In this game, the idea is that you have to clear a board without triggering any hidden mines hidden.

While it may look like a game of luck, players must also use strategies to be able to beat Minesweeper. It may seem overwhelming at first, but it becomes simple to play with patience and an understanding of the rules. In this guide, we will share beginner-friendly tips and tricks on how to beat Minesweeper.

Minesweeper Tips and Tricks You Need to Know

1. First click is always safe

After playing Minesweeper a few times, players might worry about triggering mines too much. However, there is nothing to worry about, at least for the first square. Your first click in Minesweeper is always safe. You can go completely random with your first click, or start playing from a corner.

Related | Top 10 Best Grinding Games Of All Time

2. Learn the basics

Knowing the basics is key to beating any game. As Minesweeper is a logical puzzle game, players should definitely spend some time understanding the rules.

Here is all you need to start: the number in each square refers to the number of mines in squares adjacent to it (including diagonally). One mine can be part of the count in multiple squares, because it can be adjacent to more than one.

3. Do not rely on luck too much

Luck alone is not enough to guarantee a win in Minesweeper. Players have to find and use clues available in the game to find safe squares and eliminate the risk of triggering a mine. We highly recommend learning basic strategies to help you figure out what is a safe play and what is tricky in Minesweeper.

4. Learn about various patterns in Minesweeper

Minesweeper has many repetitive patterns, and evading mines becomes more effortless once you get the hang of it. Players can check out the Minesweeper wiki to learn about common strategies and patterns. By mastering the patterns, you will be able to foresee where mines are and where it’s safe to click.

Related | Best Word Puzzle Games on Mobile

5. Don’t forget to use flags

Flags are a useful feature in Minesweeper. Using flags, you can right-click to mark the squares you know have mines in them, so you avoid clicking them. If you’re unsure about a square, you can right-click twice to flag it with a question mark and return to it later after getting more clues.

6. Spend more time playing the game

Though the idea is simple, Minesweeper is not exactly an easy game, and that’s understandable. Many players give up after a few tries and never touch the game again. But if you want to improve, the easiest way is by playing the game more. This way, you will understand different patterns and strategies and get closer to beating Minesweeper.

Patience and logical thinking are two qualities needed for playing Minesweeper. If you have any other helpful tips and tricks, feel free to let us know in the comments!